I'll be No More Tomorrow

Leelavati an elderly rather old and fragile lady. Lying on her bed as if just waiting for death to embrace her and take all her pain away. Without a blink, her eyes are stuck to the fan on the ceiling; perhaps to say thanks for its support and the comfort it provided throughout her life. Neither her pale face shows any expression nor her ears bothered of the annoying noise from fan. The fan too, old enough to hardly push air where leelavati is lying in the corner of the small room.

As her only son Manoj opened the door to leave for the work, she winced and said,"Take me to the bank". Manoj irritatedly replied,"Mother, these are the days we earn more due to the overtime we are getting", sighed and baffled,"Once the stadium will be constructed completely for commonwealth games, I will take you to wherever you want, but right now don't disturb me". Suddenly, from no where he lost his temper and continued,"You do not do anything other than lying there and eating. You disturb other also by your non-sense demands. But I've to go for work to earn living."

This has broken her heart. She never expected these words from her son and hardly managed to skip her tears. She wanted to say that all her life she worked hard as domestic servant only for him. She thought that he can't even imagine how it is like to grow a son without father. She could have married to someone else but didn't. But still keeping her calm she said,"It's been 7 days I am unable to even get up from the bed. I know I am going to die today". She added,"Tomorrow you have to pay money for my last rituals and unnecessary you have to suffer to get money from the bank account once I am no more".

"I will not be here tomorrow. So, to help you one last time I want to go to the bank". With these final words, she stopped staring at the fan, closed her eyes. Her breath stopped and all her pain went away with her death. She is really no more as she had already said.

Language Is a Barrier

I looked into mirror. At that moment I do not know what was I looking for but I looked straight in my eyes. I bend down and washed my face again. Just then I heard a horn blaring. Ohh I looked into my watch. I was washing my face from past one hour. May be I was washing the hopelessness, the tension, the emotions from my face, but of no use. I was all ready anyway, I went out. Mohan was waving from backseat of the car, which was already packed. So I adjusted myself inside the car, greeted everyone and we set off. I started staring out of the window, until Mohan said, "Everything alright?" "Yes. Why?" I purred under my lips. "Everyone expecting your smile. Today is your best friends' wedding.", complained Mohan. "Oh Sorry. Hi everyone. I was just lost. And everyone is looking VERY nice!" Mohan is one of my good friends and I knew he was not satisfied by my answer. He felt it but was afraid to say what I was afraid to hear.

So I immersed myself into past memories again. Today was my best friend,Monica's, wedding. We were friends since I dont even remember when. Because of her name, everyday in class I use to tease her with a famous Helen number and then we use to fight. Slowly between all those fights the feeling of friendship crept in and those fights became a part of my day and we became a part of each other's life. Both of us, has been in and out of relationships but nothing shook our friendship. It grew with time. But today she was getting married and somehow I was not feeling very good about it. May be I was over-reacting or may be I was afraid that she will not be the same Monica or may be( I felt a lump in my stomach, and believe me it is a bad sign). As I was watching out of the window, the streets looked more lonely. These were the same streets where we use to roam. I mind was trying to associate everything with her and I was hopelessly forcing my mind not to do it. In no time we reached the wedding hall, Aashirwaad wedding hall.

Everyone was happy,smiling and cuddled to people they knew. As soon as we get out of the car, mohan lead us to the bride's, I mean Monica's place. As I was getting closer and closer to the place where Monica was, I was getting more and more nervous. I tied my hands together so that no one sees them trembling. I was doing my best you see. Then I saw her. She was standing on the porch, heavy with the bridal dress. I had never imagined she can look this beautiful but I was not able to take my eyes off her. She saw us, smiled and then she spotted me(I was at the end of the trail) and her smile faded a little bit. Although she maintained a part of it. Then one by one we wished her, I was the last. I wanted to say many typical things like congratulations, best of luck blah blah blah. But at the very last moment I lost my words, I forgot everything and was just staring at her face. Then Mohan dragged me away. We stood for a group photo. Then when no one was looking I left. I went out on the road, and walked towards my home. I realized Language is a barrier when it comes to love. We both waited for each other to speak the words for the feeling that was deep inside us. If only we have read each other emotions. I sat down on a milestone on the side of the road. A tear trickled down my eyes. I should have done this earlier, may be tears will wash off the emotions from my face.



P.S. : If you have not seen a north Indian wedding, you have not seen an Indian marriage at all(this is for foreigners :).). In an Indian marriage,specially North Indian, there will be a huge number of people of every age and they will be divided in groups. Old people will be sitting a corner discussing national issues or sometimes someone's household issues too. Elderly women will only discuss household issues. Young women will either be around bride or in between boys ;). Boys will be either drinking,dancing or flirting :).

Earth Hour - Any Sense?

Switching off lights between 8:30 and 9:30 PM!!!! Will it make any difference? No! if you are the only one to do it. But yes, if you'd be able to convince one more person to do it and of'course you do it yourself too.

Individually it might not affect anything but think when many people like you will do the same. Actually, Earth Hour is to create awareness among the people, so they can take this forward in there daily lives. Then it will really make a difference.

There is no point in discussing global warming and similar issues here. Much has been already said about it. But believe me, it's reality and standing on our faces. Call it ignorance or logic, but even now many (rather most of us) think that this is just an hype created and nothing is happening.

But I feel it is cruel but truth. Just take an example, there was not distant past when we never used to buy water but what's the situation now? We are buying the water not only for drinking but also for our daily usage (Remember, water tanks coming in daily in the morning!!!!).

Early, the better if we realize that we gotta do something about it. Everyone has to come together and pitch in. There is no time left to ignore it anymore for anyone.

2009 - Revisit

Today is the very last of the year 2009. It's time to say bye-bye 2009 and also a time to revisit the incidents which had huge impact in our lives. Everyone will have their own list but here I am trying to compile a list of top 5 events which made huge impact without being partial. Here it is:

1. Rise of Rahul Gandhi and Congress: 2009 will be the witness of rising of Rahul Gandhi, the Nehru-Gandhi scion and Congress as a party. The general election 2009 outcome was a pleasant surprise when congress won 207 seats and made it possible for Congress to create government at centre on it own terms. It is not small that madam Maywati see him (Rahul Gandhi) as a threat for her political career. Rahul Gandhi is picture perfect of young Bharat and he will definitely impact our lives and take our future in newer and better direction.

2. Drought: Last year sugar was 20 Rs./Kg and this year it's at 40 Rs./Kg is one of the most common statement we are listening nowadays. Not only sugar but the prices of all the food items have skyrocketed and still going up. This is the end result of the drought in most of the parts of Bharat this year. You can get the fair idea of seriousness of the situation by knowing that this was the worst drought in last 37 years.

3. Pay per second: When earlier this year TATA-DOCOMO has launched per second billing, it created a revolution in Bharatiya telecom industry. Existing players were shaken to the core. Telecom Industry in Bharat was having least billing rate in the world even without per second billing. At that time no one even thought of going it down further. But with almost 50% cut in telephone bills people in Bharat are definitely talking more. That is why we are saying "Eat less Talk more".

4. H1N1: Also known as Swine Flu in general language. This was the virus which came from Pigs. Till now there are 10K death around the globe by this virus and the toll is still growing. Though it made less impact in Bharat as compare to other countries but it had definitely impact our lives this year. There was a time when in media, every news was of Swine Flu. We literally craved for some news other than Swine Flu. People using mask (sugical mask - which was not helpful) was a very common sight in malls, multiplexes, and at every common place.

5. Roller Coaster Ride of Sensex: This is not the event in itself really, but the result of all events happened throughout the year. But it has definitely made impact on people lives so giving it place in my list. Most (read all) of the finance BigBs were negative on the share market until February, 2009 when the market took a complete U-turn and going North since then. Till February experts were skeptical of reaching to even 12K mark. They were saying that it could down upto 5000 odd level. But the fact is when everybody seems to be confident of the situation, share market always unfold some new story.

With this, it's time to bid adieu 2009 and welcome 2010. May this year our live will full of good energy and all our wishes come true. Amen.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!!

Now my complaint will also be FIR

As per today's news Union Home ministry will write to all the states to register all the complaints as FIR. Till now if you go to police station to report the theft case (which is of not much amount) at your home, they never used to write any FIR for that. Moreover, everyone knows how the India police works as far as complaints are concern.

They use to tell us to write a complaint on white paper and give it to them. That's it. No follow ups, no tracking of the record. Many people might have same story.

But not any more, police has to take all the complaints as FIR. And frivolous, incorrect and false FIRs can be rejected by the police after investigation as said by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

I really appreciate the move. Many more steps to be taken Mr. PC.

What's you take on the issue, let others also know. So, do write comments :)

What's Your Resolution - 2010

One of the most hot topics these days is about the New Year Resolution. It's always good to take a new start. And 1st January gives a great opportunity to take first step towards that change. It's like rejuvenating your mind and soul before year long run. Everybody is busy in preparing a list of do's and dont's for the year 2010. Some of the hot favourites are:
1. Lose Weight
2. Stop Smoking/Drinking
3. Better Time-Management
4. Save/Earn more Money
5. Find better Job

So, Have I made new year resolution this time? NO!!!! Because somehow I am not convinced with the theory of new year resolution or may be I've rejected it after believing and trying so hard for many years. Good to make a plan in advance but I prefer flexibility of changing my deeds according to the situation. And anyways my past history also does not suggest me to do so. Yes,I had made many plans in past. Some of them definitely got successful but most of them were lost half way through.

But I definitely think of one thing not only as new year resolution but as a daily resolution for myself to be a better Human. This is subjective and vague in nature but still I'll go with this.

So, what's your resolution for the new year. Share with us. May be it'll help others in planning.

In case you do not hear from me in 2009, Wish You Folks Very Happy New Year!!!!

Hindutva - Common Man Perspective

Disclaimer: I am not a subject matter expert on Hinduism. I am sharing my perceptions about the same. I am sorry, if I hurt anyone's sentiments.

What is Hinduism, who is Hindu, How it like to be a follower of Hindutva? There are many such questions which come to mind every other day but do not get proper answers (I do not want to get the answer from so-called Hindu Gurus also). I've seen people who follow proper Hindu rituals but quite ignorant to the blind person on road who wants to cross the road. It's very common to see a person (including me) who calls themselves Hindu without knowing ABC of Hinduism. I've never read any book on the subject, I am ignorant to the history of the subject yet I called myself Hindu.

But still I am one level above of the mass (who never give it a thought in their whole lifespan) where I thought about it and created my own version of Hindutva based on whatever little information (Thanks to television and my Hindu background for the same) I have.

The bottom-line of Hindu religion, as per my opinion is love for all the Human Beings irrespective of their colour, looks, region, language, race. A single and only word "LOVE" is a core of the religion. Everything else is created upon it. I've my own points to reach to this conclusion, which are as follows.

Let's start with Lord Shiva. He is seen as the Supreme God. But how he looks? He has three eyes. Shiva smears his body with ashes. He is the one with matted hair. He is accompanied by Ganas (Boothaganas, or ghostly hosts, on account of their nature). Shiva wears a snake. Frankly speaking, I will not like a person who has not-so-well-behaved friends, do not take bath and use ashes on his body. Who does not have proper hair and the body defect of three eyes. But we still worship Shiva. I chant "Om namah Shivay" as soon as I see any temple/mosque/church/gurudwara. Why? It's because Hinduism says don't go with the looks of a person. Look at the inner heart. He has saved earth by holding Ganga in his hair. He drank the poison churned up from the world ocean. This is why we worship Shiva. This is what Hinduism says also.

Will you like a person with three heads (Yes, I am talking about Brahma), I really suspect so. Again the moral of the story is looks does not matter. We should love and respect every single human being.

Why we worship Krishna who used to steal butter, who was very much involved in eve-teasing. Who had affair with every girl in his village and nearby. Do you really like a person with such image in today's world? The answer is yet again, a BIG NO. But still people are mad about Lord Krishna.

The best is Ganehsa and Hanuman. Look wise they can't be put on normal Human Being's category. But still they have long-list of devotees.

Not only these there is a long list of Hindu God/Goddesses who has more than 2 hands, more than1 head and so on so forth still we worship them not because of there colour, looks, region, language, race but for their deeds. All the books (Vedas, Granthas) etc which are filled with similar stories directly points towards "LOVE" for everyone. And this is the only core of Hindutva.

Please let me know if you think same or otherwise. How you look at Hinduism or any religion for that matter.